The Sunnahs that the Muslim should observe on the day of Eid are as follows:

1 – Doing ghusl before going out to the prayer.

It was narrated in a saheeh hadeeth in al-Muwatta' and elsewhere that 'Abd-Allah ibn 'Umar used to do ghusl on the day of al-Fitr before going out to the prayer-place in the morning. Al-Muwatta' 428.

Al- Nawawi (may Allah have mercy on him) said that the Muslims were unanimously agreed that it is mustahabb to do ghusl for Eid prayer.

The reason why it is mustahabb is the same reason as that for doing ghusl before Jumu'ah and other public gatherings. Rather on Eid the reason is even stronger.

2 – Eating before going out to pray on Eid al-Fitr and after the prayer on Eid al-Adha.

Part of the etiquette is not to go out to pray on Eid al-Fitr until one has eaten some dates, because of the hadeeth narrated by al-Bukhaari from Anas ibn Maalik, who said that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used not to go out on the morning of Eid al-Fitr until he had eaten some dates… of which he would eat an odd number. Al-Bukhaari, 953.

It is mustahabb to eat before going out to emphasize the fact that it is forbidden to fast on that day and to demonstrate that the fast has ended.

Ibn Hajar (may Allah have mercy on him) suggested that the reason for that was so as to ward off the possibility of adding to the fast, and to hasten to obey the command of Allah. Al-Fath, 2/446

Whoever does not have any dates may break his fast with anything that is permissible.

But on Eid al-Adha it is mustahabb not to eat anything until one comes back from the prayer, so he should eat from the udhiyah if he has offered a sacrifice. If he is not going to offer a sacrifice there is nothing wrong with eating before the prayer.

3 – Takbeer on the day of Eid

This is one of the greatest Sunnahs on the day of Eid because Allah says (interpretation of the meaning):

"(He wants that you) must complete the same number (of days), and that you must magnify Allah [i.e. to say Takbeer (Allahu Akbar: Allah is the Most Great)] for having guided you so that you may be grateful to Him" [al-Baqarah 2:185]

It was narrated that al-Waleed ibn Muslim said: I asked al-Awzaa'i and Maalik ibn Anas about saying Takbeer out loud on the two Eids. They said, Yes, 'Abd-Allah ibn 'Umar used to say it out loud on the day of al-Fitr until the imam came out (to lead the prayers).

It was narrated in a saheeh report that 'Abd al-Rahmaan al-Sulami said, "They emphasized it more on the day of al-Fitr than the day of al-Adha.". Wakee' said, this refers to the takbeer. See Irwa' al-Ghaleel, 3/122/

Al-Daaraqutni and others narrated that on the morning of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, Ibn 'Umar would strive hard in reciting takbeer until he came to the prayer place, then he would recite takbeer until the imam came out.

Ibn Abi Shaybah narrated with a saheeh isnaad that al-Zuhri said: The people used to recite Takbeer on Eid when they came out of their houses until they came to the prayer place, and until the imam came out. When the imam came out they fell silent, and when he said takbeer they said takbeer. See Irwa' al-Ghaleel, 1/121

Saying takbeer when coming out of one's house to the prayer place and until the imam came out was something that was well known among the salaf (early generations). This has been narrated by a number of scholars such as Ibn Abi Shaybah, 'Abd a l-Razzaaq and al-Firyaabi in Ahkaam al-Eidayn from a group of the salaf. For example, Naafi' ibn Jubayr used to recite takbeer and was astonished that the people did not do so, and he said, "Why do you not recite takbeer?"

Ibn Shihaab al-Zuhri (may Allah have mercy on him) used to say, "The people used to recite takbeer from the time they came out of their houses until the imam came in."

The time for takbeer on Eid al-Fitr starts from the night before Eid until the imam enters to lead the Eid prayer.

In the case of Eid al-Adha, the takbeer begins on the first day of Dhu'l-Hijjah and lasts until sunset on the last of the days of tashreeq.

Description of the takbeer:

It was narrated in the Musannaf of Ibn Abi Shaybah with a saheeh isnaad from Ibn Mas'ood (may Allah be pleased with him) that he used to recite takbeer during the days of tashreeq:

Allahu akbar, Allahu akbar, laa ilaaha ill-Allah, wa Allahu akbar, Allah akbar, wa Lillaah il-hamd (Allah is Most Great, Allah is most Great, there is no god but Allah, Allah is Most great, Allah is most great, and to Allah be praise).

It was also narrated elsewhere by Ibn Abi Shaybah with the same isnaad, but with the phrase "Allahu akbar" repeated three times.

Al-Mahaamili narrated with a saheeh isnaad also from Ibn Mas'ood: "Allahu akbaru kabeera, Allahu akbaru kabeera, Allahu akbar wa ajallu, Allahu akbar wa Lillaah il-hamd (Allah is Most Great indeed, Allah is Most Great indeed, Allah is most Great and Glorified, Allah is Most Great and to Allah be praise)." See al-Irwa', 3/126.

4 – Offering congratulations

The etiquette of Eid also includes the congratulations and good wishes exchanged by people, no matter what the wording, such as saying to one another Taqabbala Allah minna wa minkum (May Allah accept (good deeds) from us and from you" or "Eid mubaarak" and other permissible expressions of congratulations.

It was narrated that Jubayr ibn Nufayr said: When the companions of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) met one another on the day of Eid, they would say to one another, "May Allah accept (good deeds) from us and from you." Ibn Hajar said, its isnaad is hasan. Al-Fath, 2/446.

Offering congratulations was something that was well known among the Sahaabah, and scholars such as Imam Ahmad and others allowed it. There is evidence which suggests that it is prescribed to offer congratulations and good wishes on special occasions, and that the Sahaabah congratulated one another when good things happened, such as when Allah accepted the repentance of a man, they went and congratulated him for that, and so on.

Undoubtedly these congratulations are among the noble characteristics among the Muslims.

The least that may be said concerning the subject of congratulations is that you should return the greetings of those who congratulate you on Eid, and keep quiet if others keep quiet, as Imam Ahmad (may Allah have mercy on him) said: If anyone congratulates you, then respond, otherwise do not initiate it.

5 – Adorning oneself on the occasion of Eid

It was narrated that Jaabir (may Allah be pleased with him) said: The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) had a cloak which he would wear on the two Eids and on Fridays. Saheeh Ibn Khuzaymah, 1756,

Al-Bayhaqi narrated with a saheeh isnaad that Ibn 'Umar used to wear his best clothes on Eid.

So a man should wear the best clothes that he has when going out for Eid.

With regard to women, they should avoid adorning themselves (to show off to non-mahram men) when they go out for Eid, because they are forbidden to show off their adornments to non-mahram men. It is also haraam for a woman who wants to go out to put on perfume or to expose men to temptation, because they are only going out for the purpose of worship.

6 – Going to the prayer by one route and returning by another

It was narrated that Jaabir ibn 'Abd-Allah (may Allah be pleased with him) said: On the day of Eid, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to vary his route. Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 986.

It was said that the reason for that was so that the two routes would testify for him on the Day of Resurrection, for the earth will speak on the Day of Resurrection and say what was done on it, both good and bad.

Ramadhaan Fever?!

The heat is on! Once a year a dramatic change occurs in the Muslim community. Once a year Icky baby and the Sams becomes Brother Iqbal and Sister Sameera. Off come the baggy jeans, the Nikes and the Raiders cap. On come the yellow Shalwar Kameez (clothes most Pakistanis wear), out goes the brylcreamed hairstyle which glues on that terribly uncool Towpee (cap) and in comes the miswak in the top pocket, making you look like something like "Karachi cops".

It's during this HOLY month of Ramadan that we ditch the daytime raves and frequent visit to the library (and we don't mean for the reference section) and begin to act it out. Icky baby becomes temporarily religious.

It's a sort of spooky feeling. The Mosques are full and you feel good. Good cos' you've done your bit for the year. One by one you scratch the days from your Ramadan timetable that your dad brought back from the Mosque-and then-thank crunchie it's Eid.

Eid Mubarak!

The Mosques again becomes museums for the old and for those deprived "ACHA BACHA"- a good baby. The crease-free shalwar kameez comes off and comes the baggy jeans, whilst the libraries reopen for "business as usual". Just 11 more months of "freedom" to go before the smelly breath season come back with a vengeance.

Year after year it goes on, almost as a ritual. You know it's rough. Yet Allah(swt) is Al-Rahman and Al-Raheem as we are told by our parents (who probably also have gone through this). And anyway religion is for the old men in the mosques- with smelly breaths, and beards that sweep the floor everytime they walk from one end of the mosque to the other.

Religion is for those "fundies"(fundamentalists) at school/college, the "weirdoes" who only talk to the opposite sex about the benefits of the Khilafah ruling system or the fallacies of Western ideology such as Capitalism and Marxist Philosophy.(i.e.try saying that in one breath!).

The game

So you go around playing this game. It's like an endless spiral. You think you're a rebel or tough-yet you're just one of the pack- a zombie, conforming to master-plan, when you turn 40s you grow your beard and take your seat in front row of the mosque, invest in a miswak, pack your bags for Hajj, and then everything is gonna be safe!Well no! It doesn't quite work like that. The million dollar question is will you ever turn 40?

Game Over!!!

Suppose you die. Just suppose you snuff it before you turn 40? What then? It could severely damage that master-plan of yours. Alright, the chances may look slim yet the stakes are high. Nobody knows when he or she is going to die. Just suppose you're locked up in a room and there's no way out. Just suppose there's a time bomb ticking away in this room. Now if this bomb has "6 days" on it you would probably turn "fundy" and spend all six days reading namaz(salah).

Just suppose the bomb had a "?" on it? What then? That's exactly how life is!!! A ticking-bomb with a "?" on it, you never know when it's gonna blow-up. Whereever you are, death will find you. Even if you are in tower built up strong and high!" (Translation of the meaning of the Qu'ran) 30 days or a lifetime? And anyway, even if you do go along with this "dodgy" game, don't you think your Creator will know your intention? Many people have sussed out Islam as a blind faith or and emotional/spiritual/spooky belief which leaves you contemplating rationally about the meanings of life. Where did you come from? Why are we here? Or the question that puts a dampner on all raves, " what's going to happen to us when we die?"

Islam asks us to answer these vital questions and come to a conclusion, the correct one. Islam doesn't rely on the dodgy culture we are brought up with either from our parents or from the Molvi-Saab(imam). Islam is far from being a "religion" as it is often coined in the media. Islam is a complete system of life- with solutions to all our problems be it for Muslims or non-Muslims. Check out Islam for yourself and free yourself from this shallow zombie-like culture. Before your credits run out!

Word out!

Remember there is no Life or Dignity without Islam. "O you who believe answer the call of Allah(swt) and His Messenger to that which gives you Life." (8:24)

Rememberance of the people is the disease, and rememberance of Allaah is the cure. Yet how strange is it that we hasten to the disease and not the cure?

What After Ramadhan?

We leave the blessed month of Ramadan, its beautiful days and its fragrant nights. We leave the month of the Qur'an, taqwa, patience, jihad, mercy, forgiveness and freedom from hellfire…

Have we fulfilled the requirements of taqwa and graduated from the Ramadan school with the diploma of the God-fearing? Have we fought our souls and desires and defeated them, or have we been overtaken by our customs and blind imitations? Have we performed our actions in a way that fulfills the conditions for receiving mercy, forgiveness and release from the Fire?

Many questions and numerous thoughts come to the heart of the sincere Muslim, who asks and answers with truthfulness.

What Have We Gained From Ramadan?

Ramadan is a school of iman and a 'stop to recharge one's spiritual batteries' – to acquire one's provision for the rest of the year. For when will one take a lesson and change for better if not in the month of Ramadan?

The noble month is a true school of transformation in which we change our actions, habits and manners that are in variance with the Law of Allah 'azza wa jall. "Verily, Allah does not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves." [Ar-Ra`d, 11]

If you are from those who benefited from Ramadan, fulfilled the requirements of taqwa, truly fasted the month, prayed in it with truthfulness, and strove against your soul, then praise and thank Allah, and ask Him for steadfastness upon it until you meet your death.

Be not like one who has sewn a shirt and then destroyed it… Have you seen one who sewed a shirt or thawb, so when she looked at it, she liked it. Then she destroyed it pulling a thread by thread for no reason. What would people say about such a person?! Or have you seen one who earns a fortune trading throughout the day, then when the night comes, he throws away all that he earned, dirham by dirham. What would people say about such a person?!

This is the condition of one who returns to sinning and evildoing after Ramadan and leaves obedience and righteous actions. So after he was favored with the blessing of obedience and enjoyment of communicating with Allah he returned to the blaze of sins and evil actions. How evil are the people who know Allah only in Ramadan!

My dear ones,

falling short in one's commitment to Islam after Ramadan is manifested in many ways, including:

Men leaving the five prayers in congregation, after they filled mosques for Taraweeh prayers, thus going to the masjid for recommended prayers and leaving obligatory ones.

This is not thankfulness for blessings and favors, nor is it the sign of acceptance of one's actions, rather this is opposition to favors and absence of thankfulness.

These are from signs of one's deeds not being accepted – and Allah's refuge is sought – for one who truly fasts rejoices on the occasion of `eid, praises his Lord for helping him complete the fast, and remains fearful that Allah may not accept his fasting, just as the Salaf would continue asking for acceptance of their actions in Ramadan for six months after it.

From signs that one's deeds are accepted is that he or she has improved in his or her obedience to Allah `azza wa jall. "And remember when your Lord proclaimed, 'If you are grateful, I will surely increase you [in favor]…" [Ibrahim, 7] Increase you in good, faith and righteous actions. So if the servant is truly thankful to his Lord, you will see him guided to more obedience and distanced from sinfulness. Thankfulness is leaving sins, as the early Muslims said.

"And worship your Lord until there comes you to the certainty [i.e. death]." [al-Hijr, 99]

The Muslim must continuously be in the state of obedience of Allah, firm upon His Sharee`ah, steadfast upon His Deen, so that he or she is not of those who worship Allah only during one month or only in one place. Rather, the believer knows that the Lord of Ramadan is also the Lord of other months, and that He is the Lord of all times and places, so he is steadfast upon the Sharee`ah of Allah until he meets Him while He is pleased with him. Allah ta`ala said,

"So remain on a right course as you have been commanded, [you] and those who have turned back with you [to Allah]." [Hud, 112] And, "So take a straight course to Him and seek His forgiveness." [Fussilat, 6]

– If the fasting in Ramadan has ended, then there remains voluntary fasting, such as fasting six days in Shawwal, on Mondays and Thursdays, the three days in the middle of the month, the days of `Aashoora and `Arafat, and others.

– If standing in prayer at night during Ramadan has ended, then there remains voluntary night prayer throughout the year. "They used to sleep but little of the night." [Adh-Dhaariyaat, 17]

– If the charity in Ramadan and zakat ul-fitr have ended, then there is the obligatory Zakat, and also there are many other open doors to charity, voluntary actions and jihad.

– Reading of the Qur'an and contemplating it is not only for Ramadan, rather it is for all times.

Righteous actions are for all times and all places, so strive, O my brother and sister, and beware of laziness. And remember that it is not allowed for us to leave the obligatory actions or delay them, such as the five daily prayers on time, in congregation etc.

And do not fall into forbidden actions, such as forbidden sayings, food and drinks, or by looking at or listening to what is forbidden.

Be steadfast and upright upon the Deen of Allah at all times, for you do not know when you'll meet the Angel of Death. Beware of him taking you while you are in a state of sin. "O Allah, Who turns the hearts, keep our hearts steadfast upon Your Deen."

I ask Allah to accept from us and you our fasting, our prayers and other righteous actions, that our condition after Ramadan be a better one, that the state of our Ummah improves, that we are granted honour and that we truly turn to our Lord…Ameen

Praise be to Allaah, we seek His help and His forgiveness. We seek refuge with Allaah from the evil of our own souls and from our bad deeds. Whomsoever Allaah guides will never be led astray, and whomsoever Allaah leaves astray, no one can guide. I bear witness that there is no god but Allaah, and I bear witness that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger.

Mistakes related to Eid-ul-FitrBy Asma bint Shameem

Mistake#1: Spending the night of Eid in worship.

Some people think that it is prescribed to spend the night of Eid in worship based on a WEAK hadeeth which says, "Whoever stays up on the night of Eid, his heart will not die on the day when hearts die." This hadeeth is NOT saheeh. (Silsilat al-Ahaadeeth al-Da'eefah wa'l-Mawdoo'ah by Sheikh al-Albaani)

Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah said: "The ahaadeeth in which the nights before the two Eids are mentioned are falsely attributed to the Prophet (pbuh)."

So DO NOT single out the night of Eid for Ibaadah, as this is a kind of bidah that is NOT proven from the Prophet (pbuh), unless it is part of you NORMAL nightly routine.

Mistake#2: Celebrating "Chand Raat"

Some people do the exact opposite of the above and spend the night before Eid, singing, dancing , listening to music, with free mixing of men and women, lack of hijaab and Hayaa'. They forget the promise they made to Allaah to stay away from haraam. Do you really want to throw away all your hard work and effort you put in worship during Ramadaan for just a few hours of utterly useless waste of time?

Mistake#3: Fasting on the Day of Eid

It is haraam to fast on the Day of Eid"He [the Prophet (pbuh)] forbade fasting on the day of (Eid) al-Fitr and the day of al-Nahr (Eid al-Adha)." (Bukhaari, Muslim)

Mistake#4: Visiting graves specifically on the day of Eid

Do not make it a point to visit graves on this day only. To do so is bid'ah as it goes against the teaching of the Prophet (pbuh).It comes under the general meaning of the Prophet's prohibition on visiting graves on a specific day and making that like a festival. (Ahkaam al-Janaa'iz wa Bidauha by al-Albaani)

However, if one visits the graves throughout the year, there is no harm.

Mistake#5: Women mixing with men in the prayer area and elsewhere

It is haraam for women and men to mix and mingle with each other if they are not mahrams, whether throughout the year or during Eid.

The Prophet (pbuh) said: "Beware of entering upon women." They said, "O Messenger of Allaah, what do you think about the brother-in-law?" he said: "The brother in law is death." (Bukhaari, Muslim).

Mistake#6: Women going out wearing perfume and makeup, and without hijaab

This is a problem which is widespread, and many people take this matter lightly, although it is FARD for an adult Muslim woman to wear hijaab and cover herself and her hair. Remember sisters, you will be asked about this on the Day you stand in front of Allaah.

"O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the believing women to draw their cloaks all over their bodies. That will be better, that they should be known (as free respectable women) so as not to be annoyed. And Allaah is Ever Oft Forgiving, Most Merciful" [al-Ahzaab:59]..

The Prophet (pbuh) said: "Any woman, who puts on perfume and passes by people so that they can smell her fragrance, is an adulteress." (al-Nasaa'i, al-Tirmidhi-hasan )

Mistake#7: Listening to music and attending Eid parties with haraam things.

It is haraam to listen to music, yet people take this matter very lightly. It is on TV and radio, in cars, homes and marketplaces, and even cell phones. This confirms the words of the Prophet (pbuh), "There will be among my ummah people who will regard adultery, silk, alcohol and musical instruments as permissible." (Bukhaari)

One should always observe the limits prescribed by Islam. Although it is from the Sunnah to enjoy the celebration of Eid, one should avoid parties that contain free mixing, and flirting, instruments of the devil, or staying up late to the point of missing Salatul Fajr, etc.

Some people think it is not a big deal if they don't pray Salatul Eid. However, it is unanimously agreed that the Eid prayer is prescribed in Islam. So much so that some Ulama say that it is fard 'ayn (an individual obligation), and that not doing it is a sin. The Prophet (pbuh) commanded even the virgins and women in seclusion, i.e., those who did not ordinarily come out, to attend the Eid prayer place.

Mistake#10: Not saying the Takbeeraat out loud (for men) or at the right time

Saying the takbeeraat out loud is one of the greatest Sunnahs on the day of Eid because Allaah says:"(He wants that you) must complete the same number (of days), and that you must magnify Allaah [i.e. to say Takbeer (Allaahu Akbar: Allaah is the Most Great)] for having guided you so that you may be grateful to Him" [al-Baqarah:185]

The time for takbeer begins when it is proven that the new moon of Shawwaal has been sighted or thirty days of Ramadaan have been completed. And it ends when the Eid prayer begins. (Majmoo' Fataawa Ibn 'Uthaymeen)

One of the most common forms of takbeer used by the Prophet (pbuh) was:

Allaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar,

laa ilaaha ill-Allaah, Allaahu akbar,

Allaahu akbar, Allaahu akbar,

wa Lillaahi'l-hamd

(Allaah is Most Great, Allaah is Most Great, Allaah is Most Great, and there is no god except Allaah,

Allaah is Most Great, Allaah is Most Great, Allaah is Most Great, and all praise be to Allaah).

Men should raise their voices reciting this dhikr in the marketplaces, mosques and homes, but women should not raise their voices.

Mistake#11: Thinking that one is released from the "Prison of Ramadaan"

Once Ramadaan ends, one is not "free" to go back to his old sinful ways, free from the constraints of Ramadan. Rather, we celebrate Eid because Allaah blessed us with the opportunity to worship Him and ask for forgiveness. Also, we celebrate with the hope that we are from the ones that will be freed from Hellfire and rewarded with Jannah.

Mistake#12: Delaying Zakaat al-Fitr

One of the rulings on the day of Eid al-Fitr is that Zakaat al-Fitr is due on this day. The Prophet (pbuh) enjoined that it should be paid before the Eid prayer or one or two days before that. Ibn 'Umar said: "They used to give it one or two days before (Eid) al-Fitr." (Bukhaari)

If it is paid AFTER the Eid prayer, it DOES NOT as Zakaat al-Fitr. "Whoever pays it before the prayer, it is Zakaat al-Fitr, and whoever pays it after the prayer, it is ordinary charity."

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Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Outwardly the Grave is Stillness while Inwardly its Punishment or Bliss.

"Race to forgiveness from your Lord, and a Garden whose breadth is like the breadth of the heaven and the earth"

[Surah Al-Hadidh 57:21]

"Outwardly the Grave is stillness while inwardly it is either punishment or bliss.

The intelligent man is the one who protects himself against the evil of this punishment before it is too late. Such a man knows with certainty that sooner or later his day will come, and that this moment is known only to the Almighty Creator.

It might come without warning. When it comes a man leaves behind all the wealth he has amassed and moves to another world.

Only there will he feel regret. But regret then will not do him any good. In that place, only good actions are of any use.

They alone will be useful currency on that critical day.

Only with them will he be able to purchase a magnificent mansion in the Garden with all the luxuries and blessings it contains, and everlasting mansion, not one which disappears as things do in this world.

The intelligent man is the one who acts for this world as if he were going to live forever and acts for the Next World as if he were going to die tomorrow."

[Source:- Ibn Al-Qayyim|quoted from an abridgement of his Kitabar-Ruh|By Layla Mabrouk...

....MY 'SALAAMS' TO ALL....

Y a s m i n.

"All that is on earth will Perish. But will abide {Forever}

the Face of thy Lord, full of Majesty, Bounty and Honour"

{'Quran'- Surah Al-Rahman-55.26-27 }

'Wasting time is Worse than Death!

Because Death Separates you from this World

Whereas wasting Time Separates you from Allah'.

Ibn Qayimm Al-Jawziyyah.

I Want to Die With my Forehead on the Ground! The Sunnah in my Heart, Allah on my Mind, Qur'an on my Tongue, and Tears in my Eyes!